Trikuteshwara, Belavadi

The Trikuteshwara temple in Belavadi is one of the Hoysala architecture monuments. It holds strong spiritual value. The name "Trikuteshwara" comes from the fact that the temple is dedicated to three shrines to Lord Vishnu or Shiva.It was built in the 12th century during the ruling period of king Veera Ballala II of the Hoysala dynasty. It includes a unique trikuta (three garbha griha) layout and detailed carvings, stone sculptures & finely carved pillars along with a maha mandapa.

Significance

The temple is believed to be a blessed site for devotees of Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. This Trikuta temple have three shikharas and three sanctum sanctorums. It was built on a star-shaped platform. 

Worship to the deities in this temple has been going for more than the last eight hundred years. Unlike the famous temples of Beluru & Halebidu, this temple was spared the damage by Islamic invvaders in 14th century. This temple was spread over a large area, with ornamented carvings decorating the three shikharas. The deity of this temle is lord Vishnu, in three different forms. The exterior walls of the temple are full of carved panels with lower levels displaying scenes from everyday life and the higher levels dedicated to large panels displaying the God and Goddesses.